A Note on our 2020 Virtual Conference

Chelsea Krause
President 2020-2021

OFWIM had its first ever virtual conference this past week. With 78 registered attendees, there was amazing participation, engagement and of course we couldn’t skip a virtual raffle!

We kicked off the conference with a talk from Esri, followed by a panel discussion on COVID-19. This seemed like an appropriate addition this year as everyone has been impacted by the global pandemic. It was also a great way to hear how members have been affected and adapting to the new normal.

We were able to fill the two days with engaging presentations and conduct the business meeting accordingly. I think everyone definitely missed the in-person aspect of the conference and networking; however, it was still a great way to connect and catch up with some of the members. If anything, it’ll make next year in Fort Collins, CO that much better! Finally, I want to say thank you to the Conference Planning Committee for all their assistance this past year and helping to make this virtual conference a success.

Alongside incoming President Chelsea Krause, OFWIM members chose two new officers at the October 6 business meeting. Please welcome:

• Dyan Pursell – President-Elect
• Amy Martin Ewing – Member-at-Large

Our 2019-2020 leader Karen Horodysky is now serving as Past President, and Michael Barbour accepted another term as Treasurer.

Each year in conjunction with our Annual Conference, OFWIM hosts a fundraising raffle and a silent auction to support our Student Scholarship Program. Like the 2020 conference, this year’s raffle and auction will be conducted online!

• Buy tickets and view raffle items!
• Visit the silent auction

Raffle tickets are on sale now at $1.00 apiece or 6 for $5.00. In addition, each registered conference attendee will receive one free ticket. Attendees can buy chances in the general raffle (random drawings throughout the two-day conference) or apply tickets to one or more special items in a targeted raffle.

Raffle and silent auction proceeds go 100% toward research scholarships for 1 or 2 students each year, providing funds for their research and travel assistance to attend and participate in the OFWIM conference.

Information on abstract submission and registration will be available by the end of June.